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I Was There: Bills vs. Jets, 16-13

It’s no secret: your writer is a big Bills fan. While I’m not super proud of the way they’ve been playing as of late, especially not against the Jets yesterday, I can’t act like I’m not excited that they finally won!

In honor of the fact that I endured what felt like winter already to watch this ridiculous display, here is a realistic rather than “reporty” post dedicated to photos and highlights of this, um, “game.” (Please note that the photos are from quite far away, as our seats were up high and out of the wind thankfully, so no good booties this week)

My good friend was nice enough to take me along for what turned out to be a near 12 hour day, starting of course with some good old fashioned tailgating. I haven’t partaken in this ritual anywhere other than the Meadowlands and Ralph Wilson Stadium, but I can say the differences were somewhat vast. Yes, the Jets fan are just as enthusiastic in their setting up of tables, coolers, grills, tents, HD televisions to watch the Giants get destroyed (speaking at my tent), and I even saw a keg outside of a Winnebego and some lobster being boiled. However, one major difference was the friendliness and the over-enthusiasm that the Bills fans have never failed to attack fellow Bills fans with. Not saying the Jets fans weren’t friendly, and their yellow jacket-wearing Courtesy Staff was indeed very helpful, but when you saunter on over to someone you may already know from previous games or a friend happens to be nearby and they offer you a beer and a hot dog, it’s not much of a surprise. Take a trip through the Bills parking lot, even if you’re not tailgating to begin with (which was my experience) and at least five friendly revelers offered drinks, shots, food, shrimp cocktail, even a shot from a Bills ice luge, and these people had never seen me in their lives. All you have to be in Orchard Park is a fellow Bills fan with a smile, a thank you, and happen to be walking by that particular group at that generous moment.

Sadly not my photo. Just wanted to show that Bills and Jets fans can indeed live and drink in harmony and peace. Image courtesty 18btailgate.

After 3.5 hours of wind, cold, clouds, and occasional drizzle, we packed up the tent and headed in to the stadium. Jets fans obviously had it in their heads that they had this win in the bag before last Sunday’s Bills debacle against the Browns even ended. Little did they know that their dear Sanchez would somehow manage to get picked off FIVE times by my boys.

Sorry that it's blurry, but this is Lindell moments before he kicked the game into overtime with a MISS. I did not photograph the winning kick for fear of jinxing him.

Yes, Lindell missed the first field goal which would have ended the game (I can’t lie, Wide Right was running through my brain during the whole set up). Yes, Edwards got injured and Fitzpatrick isn’t the greatest thing out of Harvard ever, but he managed to make a few key connections. And yes, Thomas Jones set a Franchez, er, franchise record with 210 yards rushing on 22 carries, but it was on what, like 2 yards each? (plus that was overshadowed by the fact that they, um, lost) Between there not being nearly enough pressure being put on Mr. Harvard along with us somehow managing to have five picks, we pulled it off, especially because we were cut several breaks and had many, many chances. Lindell managed to redeem himself in the end with the 47 yard field goal, and while this photo is so obviously better than mine above, I still thank AP for capturing this beautiful moment between Lindell and Moorman.

In closing, thank you Meadowlands for a lovely experience, and thank you Sanchez for your lack of experience. Neither team played well, neither team really deserved to win, and with only 2 minutes left in OT, someone had to do it and redeem a game of pain, ridiculousness, and thousands of fans freezing their asses off. Now I leave you with a pretty sunset from halftime.

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About buffalita

Formerly of Buffalo and Rochester and now of NYC, I am an extremely loyal Buffalo Bills and Sabres fan since birth. I *used* to support the Yankees, but Mr. Buffalita has since showed me the err of my ways and has converted me (almost fully) to a Mets fan. Come on, you think I would have had Mr. Met at our wedding otherwise?
Feel free to drop me a line at buffalitanyc@gmail.com for story requests, tips, or photos you'd like to share!

How sweet that you got to see your team win against a rival in person! I’m so jealous; so far I am 0-3 w/the Bengals (but then statistically I suppose that’s to be expected). And the tailgating sounds awesome-I’m really looking forward to my first NFL tailgate experience.